Friday, 10 March 2017

Revive Your Heart - Nouman Ali Khan; Review

Revive Your Heart is a call for spiritual renewal and an invitation to have a conversation with one of the world s most recognizable voices on Islam, Nouman Ali Khan.

This collection of essays is disarmingly simple, yet it challenges us to change. To revise our actions, our assumptions and our beliefs so we can be transformed from within, as well as externally. It aims to help modern Muslims maintain a spiritual connection with Allah and to address the challenges facing believers today: the disunity in the Muslim community, terrorists acting in the name of Islam, and the disconnection with Allah.

These challenges and more are tackled by Nouman Ali Khan, with his profound engagement with the Qur'an, in his trademark voice that is sought out by millions of Muslims on a daily basis.

Todays review is a different one from my usual, which makes it all the more special for me. You probably all know me as the oddball who reviews all the books under the sun with much gusto - whether it be your run of the mill romance novel, high fantasy, cheesy chick lit or a heart shattering contemporary. But behind it all, behind all those books, the ones I read more slowly, take in more carefully, are books about my religion - for first and foremost, I am a muslim woman.

Revive Your Heart is a beautiful, eloquent and beneficial islamic book that looks at religion from the standpoint of the 21st century. It raises questions about faith in the western world, how can we find moments in our ever bustling, ever busy lives - to reflect on what is passing us by so quickly, like sand through our fingers? Finance, the muslim community, leadership, contemporary issues - it has a little bit of everything that needs to be addressed in our current social climate. While this centres around Islam and its teaching, I very much feel anyone of any faith can relate to the topics it discusses, and opens the discussion for wider questions and issues on hand. At the end of the day, the basis for most, if not all religions, is peace and unity - being a good person and leading a good life. This book and the topics it chooses to look at, encompasses all those important points effectively.

Nouman Ali Khan is one of my favourite scholars, and when Kube publishing got in touch with me announcing he was publishing a new book, I leapt *practically* at the chance to read it.

While it is hugely important that we publish islamic books, it is even more important to publish the right type of books - it simply isn't enough to put something out there that isn’t reaching the masses, isn’t moving them in any way; urging, encouraging, inspiring. I’ve read many islamic books that simply bind together facts and followings with nothing else - no guidance, no additions, no nothing. Revive Your Heart features commentary from Nouman Ali Khan, with his brilliant teachings and perspectives - whereby he raises questions, ponders them - and answers them, all within the realm of islam with substantial quotes and hadiths that he doesn’t just slap on, but actually takes the time to speak to you, as the reader, and help you move forward with it. This is something I find extremely beneficial and it’s vital for all types of islamic books - faith is about guidance and understanding - and we need more books like these that do exactly that. Each quote is carefully selected, includes context and also widens the net as to how this can be used in our modern society and what we should hope to take away from it.

I personally found that each chapter of the book is hugely relevant in this day and age and looks at key hurdles we’re facing in our faith, ways to overcome it and use it to strengthen us. There’s personal anecdotes and experiences from the author that have been shared with us to remind us all that this struggle we face, is universal, no matter what level of faith you have, or what stage you’re practicing at, even the most pious of us face dark moments. In the end, ultimately what matters is returning to your faith with optimism in your eyes and repentance in your heart. There’s also an analytical edge to this book that I surprisingly enjoyed, in which arabic words and phrases have been carefully deconstructed and looked at, its meaning assessed and then explained to us what exactly we should take away from this. I am usually wary, when it comes to islamic books and teachings, about an individuals personal perspective about religious matters - but with Nouman Ali Khan, I have no doubts that what he is interpreting is misguided - but rather his reputation and abilities as a scholar backs him up in what he is writing and the easy way in which is explains, without a condescending, patronising tone. It is insightful, sensible and therefore, easy for me to read and take on board.

Kube Publishing have published many other islamic books which proudly adorn my shelves and this is another one to add to the pile - with a simple but gorgeous cover and gems hidden within, I can’t say enough good things about this book and it says enough that this book is currently sold out - SOLD OUT *louder for those in the back*. It will be restocked on 27th of March, so keep your fingers at the ready and visit their website here, or their instagram here - to grab yourself a copy.